Chapter 1

Joe Cartwright was riding his horse Cochise when he spotted a horse pulling a driver-less wagon. He rode over to the wagon and saw a family that he thought was dead. He was about to turn away and rode back towards the house and he heard a soft moan coming from the little girl. Gently he picked her up, put her in front of him on Cochise and then he rode off towards the house. When he got there his two older brothers, Adam and Hoss were putting shoes on their horses, Adam looked up and saw his youngest brother with the girl. When Joe pulled his horse in front of the house, his brothers came up to him and just stared at him and the girl that he brought.

"You know, you're bringing home more girls than I brought home stray animals." Hoss said as he grabbed the girl off Joe's horse.

Joe got off his horse and sarcastically said. "That's funny. I wouldn't brought her home, except for the fact that she's injured."

The boy's father Ben Cartwright came out and welcomed home his son. When he saw the girls in his middle child's arms, he shook his head. "Joe, I asked you to bring strays home. But I was expecting the 4 legged animal kind, not the 2 legged ones ." Ben looked at his oldest son and said. "Go for the Doctor."

Joe looked at his pa and said. "Pa, I couldn't leave her out there. She was injured." Just then the girl started to shake.

"Hoss, put her in the guest bedroom." Ben instructed him. As Hoss went to do his father's bidding, he looked at Joe and said. " I hope that she lives long enough to meet her savior."

Ben looked at his son and laid his hand on his shoulder. "She looks strong, Joseph. She'll survive." Joe looked at his father. "I know. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I didn't ride in that direction."

Just then Doctor Martin came in the door with Adam on his heels. "Where is the patient, Ben?" he asked.

Ben pointed towards the guest door and said "She's in there. She's been shot."

Doctor Martin nodded and looked at Joe "You want to come and help with her?"

Joe nodded his head slowly followed the Doctor in the room. When he walked in, he looked at the girl who was lying helplessly in the bed. Joe took his hand and pushed the hair out of her eyes, but he got alarmed when he felt her forehead.

"Doctor, she's burning up." he said as he pulled the sheets off her.

Doctor Martin pushed Joe at the way and said "That bullet has to come out." So the two of them got to work and it was about five in the morning, when they got the bullet out.

Joe walked out of the room and joined his Pa and brothers for breakfast.

"How is she?" Hoss asked as he handed Joe a plate filled with food.

Joe looked at his family and said. "We've got the bullet out, it's going to be a while before we know for sure though."

The Doctor came out of the room then and said "Well, the bullet is out. The next twenty-four hours are going to be the most crucial and touch and go yet."

The Cartwrights thanked the Doctor, who had to lea

A/N: I don't Bonanza or